Paint equivalent guide

Deep Blue Equivalent

Deep Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Deep Blue equivalent is STAR BLUE (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.4).
For the Deep Blue equivalent Vallejo, Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 10.0).
The best Deep Blue Army Painter equivalent is Abyssal Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 2.9).

Army Painter warpaint #074863

Top 5 closest equivalents

These 5 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
STAR BLUEAK Interactive
ΔE 1.4slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Stegadon Scale GreenCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 1.5slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
3
Thousand Sons BlueCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 2.8slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
4
FLUORESCENT BLUEAK Interactive
ΔE 4.7moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
Akhelian GreenCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 4.8moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Deep Blue?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Deep Blue in the current local catalogue is STAR BLUE from AK Interactive (Delta-E 1.45).

Method

Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.

Limits

Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.

What to check before replacing this base

Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this base paint:

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Frequently asked questions

Deep Blue is a paint from Army Painter. Its specific pigment load, drying behaviour, and finish set it apart from other paints in the same category, which is why a direct substitute needs to match more than just the colour value.

The closest Vallejo option is Coal Black (72.053) (Delta E 10.01).

Yes, Deep Blue is currently part of the Army Painter range. Check local stock or equivalent alternatives if the pot is hard to source.

Check Delta-E, finish type, coverage, opacity, and behaviour over your chosen primer. Run a full test with one shade and one highlight pass before applying the substitute to an entire unit.

Deep Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Deep Blue equivalent is STAR BLUE (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.4).
For the Deep Blue equivalent Vallejo, Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 10.0).
The best Deep Blue Army Painter equivalent is Abyssal Blue (Army Painter) (ΔE 2.9).

Deep Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest Deep Blue equivalent is STAR BLUE (AK Interactive) with Delta E 1.4. For a Deep Blue equivalent Vallejo match, Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 10.0 is the closest pick. The best Deep Blue Army Painter equivalent is Abyssal Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 2.9.

Deep Blue Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 10.0.

Deep Blue Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Abyssal Blue (Army Painter) with Delta E 2.9.

Deep Blue equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Deep Blue requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the teal range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : STAR BLUE (AK Interactive) – ΔE 1.4
  • Closest Vallejo option : Coal Black (72.053) (Vallejo Game Color) – ΔE 10.0
  • Closest Army Painter option : Abyssal Blue (Army Painter) – ΔE 2.9

A paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, shade, and highlight sequence as the original recipe.

Looking at the surrounding palette matters because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, or flatter than expected.

That combination of colour distance, finish, and recipe context is what makes a paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.